Bra Buying Guide

For many, buying a bra can be a harrowing experience, but here at Zodee we are trying to make this as simple and even as enjoyable as possible. We hope to guide you in finding the bra that's perfect for you and explain some of the terminology used by bra manufacturers that feels like it's just there to confuse you!

Fitting Guide

The first step in buying any bra is getting the size right. Did you know that as many as 80% of people are wearing the wrong sized bra? Could that be you? Surely not! Then what's the harm in measuring yourself anyway - you might get a surprise! Many people are convinced of their size and have been wearing the same (wrong) size for 20 years or more! Your body does change over time, and so should your bra wardrobe! We encourage you to keep an open mind when measuring for bras.

Bra sizes are calculated based on two measurements; your underbust and bust. It is the combination of these sizes that determines the correct size for your you. The cups are sized relative to the band, so if you were to try a smaller band size but keep the same cup size, the cups would be too small. If you need to drop a band size, you will need to increase the sup size by one to compensate. For example, if a 12C bra is the right cup size but is too big in the back, then you should try a 10D. Not obeying this rule is the most common issue when fitting for a bra and should not be ignored.

Step 1 : Measure Your Underbust

Whilst wearing your most comfortable bra, but no clothing, with a standard measuring tape (not a rigid one) place the tape on your rib cage directly under the bust as pictured.

► The tape should be straight (not up or down at the back) and be reasonably taut, but neither loose or tight.

► Using a mirror will aid you in getting the tape as straight as possible.

This is your back measurement or band size. Take a note of this measurement in centimetres, rounding to the nearest centimetre.

Step 2 : Measure Your Bust

Again with your bra on, place the bra on the largest, fullest part of your breast, as shown and record the size in centremetres.

► The tape should not be too tight as to change the shape of your breast.

► Ensure that the tape is straight across the back, again using a mirror to aid.

Record this measurement in centimetre, again, rounding to the nearest centimetre.

Step 3 : Determine Your Ideal Bra Size

Once you have these 2 measurements, use the this sizing chart to determine your ideal size.

1. 1. Follow across the top row until you find the correct measurements for you under bust, with the Band Size Directly underneath
2. 2. The follow the table down until you reach the appropriate Over Bust measurement and read the cup size from the left

For example, if your Under Bust measurement is 75cm and your Over Bust measurement is 92 cm, then according to the chart you are a 12C.

Under Bust (cm)	65-67	67-72	72-77	77-82	82-87	87-92	92-97	97-102	102-107	107-112
Band Size (AU)	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26
Over Bust Measurement (cm)
AA Cup	75-77	80-82	85-87	90-92	95-97	100-102	105-107	110-112	115-117	120-122
A Cup	77-79	82-84	87-89	92-94	97-99	102-104	107-109	112-114	117-119	122-124
B Cup	79-81	84-86	89-91	94-96	99-101	104-106	109-111	114-116	119-121	124-126
C Cup	81-83	86-88	91-93	96-98	101-103	106-108	111-113	116-118	121-123	126-128
D Cup	83-85	88-90	93-95	98-100	103-105	108-110	113-115	118-120	123-125	128-130
DD Cup	85-87	90-92	95-97	100-102	105-107	110-112	115-117	120-122	125-127	130-132
E Cup	87-89	92-94	97-99	102-104	107-109	112-114	117-119	122-124	127-129	132-134
F Cup	89-91	94-96	99-101	104-106	109-111	114-116	119-121	124-126	129-131	134-136
G Cup	91-93	96-98	101-103	106-108	111-113	116-118	121-123	126-128	131-133	136-138
GG Cup	93-95	98-100	103-105	108-110	113-115	118-120	123-125	128-130	133-135	138-140
H Cup	95-97	100-102	105-107	110-112	115-117	120-122	125-127	130-132	135-137	140-142
HH Cup	97-99	102-104	107-109	112-114	117-119	122-124	127-129	132-134	137-139	142-144
J Cup	99-101	104-106	109-110	114-116	119-121	124-126	129-131	134-136	139-141	144-146
Band Size (US/UK)	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48
Band Size (EU)	65	70	75	80	85	90	95	100	105	110

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How To Tell If You're Wearing The Wrong Sized Bra

Baggy Cups If you’re wearing an underwire bra and your cups start to bunch up it means that your cup size is too large. Similarly if you are wearing a contour bra and there is room between the cups and your breasts your cup size is too large.	Double Boob If the neckline of your bra starts to dig into your breasts and creates a double boob then your cups are too small.
High Riser If the back of your bra is riding up higher than your natural under bust line then your band size is too small.	Under Boob If the band of your bra is rising up and starts to show your breast then your band size is too big. It could also mean that your straps are too tight.
Side Boob If your breasts start to fall out the sides of your cups then your cup size is too small. It could also mean that your bra has too much padding.

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Choosing The Right Bra

Choosing a bra is depends upon many factors, quite apart from choosing the right size. Some of these are are simply personal preference, such as the amount of cup coverage you need, some depend on your size as you may require more support not available in all styles. It also depends on the garments that you choose to wear on top of your bra.

Cup Shape

Contour - A cup that has a defined shape from light padding.

Unmoulded - A cup that has no defined shape with flimsy material.

Cup Design

Full Cup - Cups that cover the entire breast.

Demi Cup - Also known as a half cup bra, cups cover half of the breast.

Balconette - Low cut style with wide set straps. A shallower U shaped underwire is used and is designed to be more revealing and to create cleavage.

T-Shirt - Has no seams over the cups. Designed to provide a smooth appearance under a tight t-shirt.

Soft Cup - Gets support from the under bust band without the use of underwire.

Minimiser - A full cup bra that encapsulated the breasts and uses compression to minimise bust appearance.

Specialist Bras

Sports - Coming in different levels of support, a sports bra is designed to be close fitting to reduce movement whilst exercising.

Maternity - A maternity bra is designed to be adjusted over the course of pregnancy. Most styles have additional hooks & eyes for your changing rib cage. Available without underwire and with flexi wires so as not to block milk ducts under the arm.

Nursing - Designed to provide quicker, easier access to the nipple for breastfeeding babies. Clips on the straps allow the cup to drop down and can be supported with an A-Frame. Usually lined with cotton and with minimal seams on the cup so irritation doesn't occur.

Mastectomy - Designed for women who have had one or both breasts surgically removed. The cups are double lined, usually with cotton with an opening for a prosthesis to sit comfortably

Post Surgery - Suitable for use straight after sugical operations like a mastectomy, breast augmentation or implants. Most are front opening because of the lack of movement due to the surgery and compression.

Features

Plunge - Plunge bras have a low centre front

Front Closure - Front closure bras have clips, hooks & eyes or velcro fastening fronts and are great when a smooth back is needed or for anyone with limited movement

Adhesive - 2 kinds, reusable and disposable. They adhere to the breast and offer very little support

Racerback - Mainly used in sports bras, the straps go over the shoulder staying close to the neck and form a v shape at the centre of the back used to keep straps from falling off the shoulder.

Multiway - Adjustable straps are used provide multiple uses for a bra so that it can be worn with many styles of clothing

Longline - Bra band sits further down the torso.

Bandeau - A bra that sits straight across the bust to wear with strapless garments

Crop Top - Crop tops provide great coverage of the breast with only underbust banding and no underwire. Can be used for sports, sleeping or as extra support over a bra

Body Shaping - A bra that also shapes around your back.

Air/Liquid Filled - A push up bra with liquid or gel padding

Removable Padding - A bra with removable padding so you can adjust the level of boost you want.

Structure

Underwire - Underwire bras have a semi circular piece of metal, plastic or resin sewn into a channel under the cup to support the weight of the breast. It starts in the middle of the chest and runs to under the armpit.

Wire Free - A wire free or soft cup bra uses banding under the bust to support the bust without the use of underwire.

Flexi Wire - Flexi-wire is used in maternity bras to provide support without being restrictive. The wire moves with your body meaning it won't restrict your milk ducts or cause any breast health problems providing you are wearing the correct size.

Padding Level

None - Supports your breast with no padding.

Light - Has a small layer of padding for support.

Medium - Supports your breasts with a medium amount of padding. Lightly boosts cleavage.

Push Up - A bra that boosts your cleavage and provides a large amount of support.

Ultra Push Up - A bra that substantially boosts your cleavage and can make you look a cup size larger.

Graded - Other types of padding levels dependent on the brand.

Fabric Styling

Sheer - A bra that you can see through.

Lace - A bra that has lace or lace detail.

Printed - A bra with a printed pattern on it.

Embroidered - A bra with stitching detail on it to make a pattern.

Plain - Bras that have no patterns or trims. Very basic.

Impact Level

Low - Ideal for light-impact activities or everyday use.

Medium  - Support Factor2 -Ideal for medium-impact activities such as walking, softball and cycling. SF2 sports bras can reduce breast bounce by 45-50%

High - Support Factor 3 - Ideal for high-impact activities such as running, netball and soccer. SF3 sports bras can reduce breast bounce by over 50%

Extreme - Support Factor 4 - Ideal for extreme impact activities such as long-distance running, kick-boxing and athletics. SF4 sports bras can reduce breast bounce by up to 60%